Obergefell v. Hodges, now known as a landmark civil rights case, resulted in the United States Supreme Court ruling that required all 50 states to not only lawfully perform, but recognize the marriage of same-sex couples on the same terms and conditions by which opposite-sex unions are recognized.

However, the ruling also went beyond same-sex marriage recognition to the recognition of all rights relating to marriage. It continues to highlight the importance of having a legal birth certificate or seeking online birth certificate replacement if the document is lost or stolen.

Same-Sex Marriage and Birth Certificates

Although there was a lot to celebrate following the ruling, many couples soon discovered that the recognition of their rights was not as they had thought. For example, Ohio refused to supply an adopted child with a birth certificate containing both names of his two male parents, even though his parents were married in New York State, which recognizes their marriage and their adoption. Instead, the two men were told that only one would be able to be legally listed as the child’s father.

Arkansas was another state which refused to include both same-sex parents on the birth certificates of their adopted children, even though it already listed non-biological parents on the birth certificates of children adopted or conceived under opposite-sex circumstances. Although Obergefell v. Hodges is now resolved, it is still educating the public about the critical importance of a legal birth certificate copy.

Birth Certificates Are a Vital Link

Had the case ended up in the court system for several years, the adopted children involved in Obergefell v. Hodges might have encountered many a costly legal obstacle. For example, without a birth certificate, they would have been unable to prove their citizenship and identity. As well, the lack of a birth certificate would also have rendered them unable to apply for a passport, which could have significantly limited their opportunities for employment and education.

These adopted children would have no way to record or track their medical history without this important document, nor would they have been able to obtain any form of health care or social service.

What Could Happen if You Lost Your Birth Certificate

The majority of people in this country do have a birth certificate on file. However, birth certificates can be lost or stolen. Should this happen, you might not be concerned; after all, your birth certificate is on file, right? The truth is that, if you don’t have a replacement birth certificate in your possession to prove who you are, a thief who has access to even one other piece of your legal ID can steal your identity.

Get Your Birth Certificate Replaced, Fast

The best thing to do if you have lost your birth certificate is to get it replaced as quickly as possible. One way to do this is by going online. FastBirthCertificates offers fast and legal replacement of birth certificates for your peace of mind.